Using the traditional Ave Maria text this work gradually builds from unison, to two part, to three part.  There are some uplifting key changes and the piece features a brief, but beautiful, a cappella section in the middle (optional accompaniment given). Ave Maria was written for Voix de Femmes of Havelock North High School following their successful performance in The Big Sing regional competition in Napier, 2010. The piece was premiered at The Big Sing Finale in Auckland in August 2010. (2010, revised 2012)

• SSA, piano
• Self-published: SL-102
• Genre: sacred
• Duration: c.2:50
• Level: medium
• SCORE PREVIEWAve Maria SSA (Preview) (selected pages only)

THE TEXT

LATIN

Avē Marīa, grātiā plēna, Dominus tēcum.

Benedicta tū in mulieribus, et benedictus frūctus ventris tuī, Iēsus.

Sāncta Marīa, Māter Deī, ōrā prō nōbīs peccātōribus, nunc et in hōrā mortis nostrae.

Āmēn.*

*the macrons refer to vowel length. source

ENGLISH

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;

blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Notes:

For details of a link between this work and Gloria Deo! click here.

My thanks to Ya Chin Bonny You for kind permission to use her sketch entitled “Ave Maria” on the front cover of this work.

Other Performances:

• June 2, 2011 at the Opera House in Hastings by Iona Pure choir from Iona College directed by Jose Aparicio (The Big Sing)
• September 4, 2011 at Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Browning Street, Napier by the women of the Napier Civic Choir directed by Jose Aparicio (Hawke’s Bay Composers)
• May 30, 2012 The Big Sing 2012 East Coast Region at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House, by Celtic Heart of Taradale High School directed by Jane Pierard (highly commended award for this performance)